Genius of Photography Episode 2

Genius of photography was an episode illustrating wartime photographers and how cameras affected them and the world. Photography was they key to the future, and a machine like process. Photographers experimented with camera and darkroom techniques to both make photography more accessible and dynamic. At the time it was unclear who the photos served the photographer himself or society.

Eugene Atget

Eugene Atget is a French photographer from Bordeaux, he started his photography career in Paris in the 1890’s although he had a limited background in visual arts.

He advertised his work as visual aid for artists, he sold his work to artists from local towns and cities. He also sold his work to architects and interiors. The Cranavalet Museum commissioned him to document famous landmarks and historical sites in France.

He shot Paris on a medium format camera, developing them at 18x24cm glass dried plates.

this image is eye catching because the path stands out against the ground around it, it is the brightest part of the picture. The buildings in the back ground  are all different tones but they all stand out against the background by again being lighter. The path also gives the photo a sense of journey and movement. it makes the viewer feel like they are being taken somewhere. 

I chose this photo because it is so simple, is interesting because of the reflections in the water and the different tones in the light sky and the dark trees.  There are also the eye catching statues which make the picture a lot more visually appealing because there is something to focus on rather than just the trees and there reflections. I also like the tones used, although they are black and white there is sepia feel to it. i love the feel of this photo, it is very relaxed and pretty. The reflections give the photo a very dynamic and interesting feel. 

 I like this image because of the soft bright lighting used it emphasizes the contrasts between  the background and the man in the middle with the cart which is the most important part of the image. this photo gives a feel as to what Paris was like then, it has emotion and a very natural feel to it. 

Walker Evans

Walker Evans is famously an FSA photographer, as he liked to set up shoots rather than document he was dismissed as an FAS photographer.  He started his own work shooting in new yourk subway with his camera hidden, this was later published in a book of his. He was an avid reader and writer, he became a writer for the times.

Rodchenko

Rodchenko started his work as an artist which he soon gave up to peruse graphic design in posters and books. He was inspired by a Dadaist photomontage, which prompted him to start experimenting with a medium format camera.